Created: 3/18/2010 6:34:00 PM 
Winston-Salem, NC - Two more low-performing Piedmont schools top the federal reform list. Winston-Salem's Petree Elementary and The Kennedy Learning Center qualify for millions of dollars in grant money. But to get it, the district has to consider some major changes. The school district is considering two of the four options laid out by the federal government. The plan involves replacing the principals at both schools, transferring up to half of the teachers at Petree and changing the curriculum at Kennedy. "It's necessary in order to receive the federal money," said WSFCS spokesperson Theo Helm.
Helm told WFMY News 2's Tracey McCain, the district wants its share of $89 million in federal grant money available to the state's 40 worst performing schools. "We are eligible for up to $2 million a year for three years, so we're talking about $6 million for each of the two schools," said Helm. Petree Elementary and The Kennedy Learning Center are on that list. But getting the federal money comes at a cost. "Up to 50% will return and the other 50% will be transferred or not working with us," said Helm. Under the "Turnaround Model" the district would also have to replace the schools principal. Most of the teachers will transfer to other schools, but untenured teachers are at risk of losing their jobs. "We're operating in a climate that was created by the federal government which blames directly the teachers and principals for low performing schools," said Forsyth County Association of Educators President Tripp Jeffers. "We know that children bring all sorts of issues to the classroom over which teachers and principals have no control." If the district's grant application is accepted, Jeffers will help the teachers who'll need new jobs.
"We would advocate for them to get a fresh start in another building. Because they may have been successful in another place. If the school is a turn around school a low performing school, it's a tough place to start teaching," said Jeffers who emphasizes teachers are not to blame for the school's low-performance. Only the principal will leave the Kennedy Learning Center which is currently a middle school. Construction is already underway to turn it to a Career and Technical High School which under the "Transformation Model" it must also change its curriculum. "We know there could be some pain obviously by making such big changes and that's not something we're excited about," said Helm. Parents and teachers can speak out about the changes at the next Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd. The Winston-Salem Forsyth County School system has to submit its application for the Federal grant money by April 30th. It should know whether the government accepts its proposal by May 15th.
